[Objective] Obesity has become a problem even among farmers, who have relatively frequent opportunities for physical activity. This study aimed to explore the underlying factors of obesity-related dietary behaviors, by comparing farmers and non-farmers in Aomori Prefecture.

[Methods] Focusing on agricultural products in Aomori Prefecture, two study sites were selected from the southern region, where production of burdock and garlic is high; one was Tohoku Town, Kamikita District (hereafter, Tohoku Town) and the other was Towada City. A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted for visitors to the "Ikiiki Industry and Culture Festival 2024" in Tohoku Town and the "Harvest Festival" at the Roadside Station Towada. Participants were men and women aged 18 years or older who provided informed consent.

[Results] Among farmers, 55.6% of males and 24.0% of females were obese. The most significant underlying factor of obesity-related dietary behaviors was "eating what I like, because having meals is my only pleasure (personal factor (reward))" for farmers and "putting importance on nutritional balance with being aware of future health" (personal factor (knowledge, attitude))" for non-farmers.

[Conclusion] This study, conducted in two municipalities in the southern region of Aomori Prefecture, suggests that the underlying factors of obesity-related dietary behaviors differ between farmers and non-farmers. These findings indicate the need to provide tailored support to farmers that promotes health-conscious dietary behaviors while preserving enjoyable mealtimes, as a primary prevention strategy for lifestyle-related diseases.

[Objective] Suicide is the leading cause of death among individuals aged 10 to 39 in Japan. Additionally, suicides among elementary, junior high, and high school students have been increasing. Notably, youth suicide is also a major concern in South Korea; hence, Japan and South Korea share the common challenge of strengthening school-based suicide prevention measures. In South Korea, new initiatives include joint projects led by companies and private organizations and suicide prevention classes designed to promote active student participation. This observation aimed to gather reference information from South Korea to inform and strengthen Japan's countermeasures.

[Methods] As part of our responsibilities for scheduling and sending preliminary questions, we visited the Life Respect Initiative Office, in South Korea in August 2024. One member of the observation team served as an interpreter and conducted interviews with project personnel, primarily in Korean. After returning to Japan, we organized key findings and finalized the written content while confirming details with the Life Respect Initiative Office.

[Results] Funded through corporate social responsibility initiatives, the project comprised two programs: one focused on long-term mentor dispatch and suicide prevention classes, and another aimed at disseminating these classes. The suicide prevention classes incorporated games to enhance student engagement and followed a stepwise educational approach. The content addressed emotion recognition and verbalization before introducing help-seeking.

[Conclusion] Initiatives such as continuous mentor dispatch, implementation of game-based lessons, a phased lesson program, and a dissemination strategy for nationwide expansion provided useful insights for strengthening school-based suicide prevention education in Japan.

[Purpose] Health promotion activities were implemented to encourage seafood consumption and healthy lifestyles through the use of local food resources. This report summarizes the implementation and outcomes of the project to inform future community-based health promotion activities.

[Methods] In Higashidori Village, Aomori Prefecture, Japan, a workshop was conducted to encourage discussions on seafood consumption and health, followed by cooking sessions based on ideas generated during the workshop. The workshop included taste comparisons of regular and low-salt processed foods, as well as group discussions on seafood consumption and cooking practices. In the cooking sessions, dishes were prepared using local ingredients, including traditional dishes, with an emphasis on reducing sodium intake and increasing potassium intake. After the cooking sessions, a questionnaire was administered to the participants.

[Results] Ten residents participated in the workshop, during which a variety of dishes using locally caught seafood were proposed. Eight residents participated in the cooking sessions. In the post-activity questionnaire, all respondents reported being "satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied," and many expressed positive views, such as wanting to try the dishes at home or wishing to participate again. Active exchanges regarding cooking methods and the use of local ingredients were observed among the participants and members promoting dietary improvement, and intergenerational interactions were facilitated.

[Conclusion] These activities provided opportunities for participants to become more familiar with seafood and deepen their understanding, while also fostering intergenerational exchange. The activities also helped enhance the motivation of members promoting dietary improvement. Continued implementation of such activities may support community-based health promotion efforts.

[Objective] This small scale study investigated how the language of written corrective feedback (WCF) influences perceptions of its comprehensibility and usability among first-year Japanese university students in compulsory English as a Foreign Language (EFL) courses. The research aimed to determine whether L1 (student first language), L2 (student second language), or mixed-language feedback better supports students' understanding and application of teacher comments.

[Methods] A quasi-experimental design was implemented across three writing cycles with two student groups. Group A followed an English–Japanese–mixed sequence, whereas Group B followed a Japanese–English–mixed sequence. After each writing task, students received WCF based on a feedback framework addressing goals, performance, and improvement strategies. Feedback included direct in-text corrections and meta-feedback comments. Anonymous online questionnaires were administered in students' L1 following each cycle to measure comprehension, usability, and consultation needs.

[Results] Across all cycles, students generally reported understanding feedback in all languages, though comprehension was highest for Japanese and mixed-language formats. Peer consultation was most frequent in Group A where English feedback was provided first. Students reported being able to apply feedback effectively regardless of the language used, though L1 feedback appeared to increase confidence in revision.

[Conclusions] While L1 feedback improved perceived ease and usability, it was suggested that the structural clarity of comments based on the feedback framework was more influential than the language used. Mixed-language WCF may offer an optimal balance, supporting both comprehension and L2 development.

[Objective] This study aimed to explore the emotional state and psychological changes experienced by nurses who worked in a COVID-19 infectious disease ward for a year.

[Methods] Group interviews were conducted with five nurses who had been working in the COVID-19 infectious disease ward since its establishment. Responses were analyzed using a qualitative inductive approach.

[Results] 90 codes related to nurses' emotional states were extracted and categorized into 35 categories, from which 12 patterns of psychological change were identified. Anxiety was the most frequently reported emotion. "Anxiety amplified by media coverage" and "anxiety about the unknown nature of COVID-19" persisted as "anxiety that the number of infected patients might increase" and "anxiety about ongoing infection". "Anxiety that infection might spread family members" developed into "the burden of working in a COVID-19 infectious diseases ward for more than a year". In contrast, "anxiety about not being able to closely observe patients" and "anxiety about improper donning and doffing of personal protective equipment" changed into "a sense of security from being able to observe patients via cameras" and "a sense of security due to available equipment." Furthermore, "emotional distress caused by discrimination and prejudice from colleagues" and "thoughtless comments from staff in other wards" changed into "the joy of having appropriate infection-control nursing recognized."

[Conclusions] Based on the 12 identified patterns of psychological change among nurses who worked in a COVID-19 infectious disease ward for one year, this study suggests that support for nurses in infectious disease wards should focus on reducing anxiety about infection, enhancing job satisfaction, and providing mental health support.